Season In Review: 2010-2011

The 2010-2011 season started with one lofty goal for Derek Fisher and the Los Angeles Lakers, to complete the three-peat. Though that quest fell short in the conference semifinals, there was plenty for LA to be proud of at season’s end.


Fish and the Lakers accomplished plenty in 2011, but not their ultimate goal.

IRONMAN
The Lakers matched last season’s win mark of 57 and went to the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Through it all, Derek Fisher’s name was in the lineup every night.

2010-11 marked the sixth consecutive season that Derek has played in all 82 games. Since returning to Los Angeles in 2007, D-Fish has started every one of LA’s 328 regular season games at the point guard position. He is the NBA’s active leader in consecutive games played with 495.

BUZZER BEATER
Derek’s late-game heroics came into play earlier in the season than usual for the Lakers, but D-Fish has always known when the time is right.

So with the Lakers trailing their Staples Center co-tenants, the Clippers, by one with 3.1 seconds left in their December 8th meeting, Fish huddled up with his teammates and plotted the plan of attack for a game-winner, as Mark Medina of the LA Times wrote:

"As the Lakers huddled together on the sideline with 3.1 seconds remaining, Fisher planned out what he would do should he receive the ball. It wasn’t likely that scenario would play out, considering the first option would go to Kobe Bryant on the perimeter or Pau Gasol inside.

But with each of them heavily marked, Lakers forward Matt Barnes inbounded the ball to Fisher near the top of the key. As soon as Fisher caught the ball, he noticed Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe marked him as if he would shoot from long-range."

Instead Derek went to his dribble, cut through the lane and scored with a finger roll, just instants before the buzzer, to give the Lakers an 87-86 win. Ever humble, Fish was just glad he made the right read.

"I just wanted to read it, make a little hesitation, and if I go and I could get head and shoulders by him, just keep going to the cup," he said. "I was very fortunate to get it off in the split-second before the light went off."

GAME OF THE YEAR
The win over the Clippers was Derek’s most thrilling finish of the season, but his game of the year was still to come a few months later. Fish was coming off his worst night of the season against the Mavericks (0-6, 0 points, 1 assist) when the Lakers welcomed the Orlando Magic to Staples Center on Match 14th.

That night in a 97-84 LA win, Derek scored 15 points on 6-of-9 from the field. The most productive of those nine shots went for just two points, but it was a beautiful back to the rim scoop layup that swung momentum for the Lakers.

"It just happened," Derek said after the game. "It’s fun to compete and give everything you have. Sometimes things just kind of happen for you in the right place and the right time. I got a chance to run out and make a great play and get some energy for the second half."

Fish also drew seven fouls in the victory, including a couple of charges on Dwight Howard that left Derek bumped, bruised and sprawled across the floor.

"It’s no fun at all," Fisher said of taking a charge from Howard. "But he runs down the court so hard, you do things to try and slow him down and help our big guys. It’s a play you have to make."

SOUR FINISH
In a season where he expected to tie Michael Jordan for NBA Championship rings, Derek and the Lakers fell short, something that Fish was left struggling to fathom. No. 2 said losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Western Conference Semifinals left an incomparably sour taste in his mouth.

"I just never really imagined being in this situation. This one definitely hurts," he said. "This feels worse than losing in the Finals in ’08. Losing in the Finals has its own frustrations, but losing in this early is an entirely different animal."

Losing the way the Lakers did was tough to swallow, Fish said. 

But Fish said that losses like that only steel his resolve.

"This is going to be with us awhile. But we’re going to strap ‘em up and get back out there soon and get our sights back on where we want to be."

The only thing No. 2 can do to respond, he said, is become a better player and person.

"For myself, and I’m sure for a lot of our guys, it will ultimately become a positive. Often times you have to look in the mirror before you take the step you are supposed to take. This is going to force us to look in the mirror and I think we are all man enough to do that. There’s something we can do as players to be better.

"

[Next year], I’d take the same exact group of guys and line ‘em up and lace ‘em up and we’d get the job done. That’s what I believe can and will happen."

SHOES TO PHIL
The Game 4 loss to the Mavericks marked the last game for Derek’s longtime coach, Phil Jackson, who is heading into retirement. No. 2 said he wished he could have giving his mentor and friend a better send off than what transpired.

"I wish that we could have a different ending just for him, even if it wasn’t different for us. He deserved to go out much better than this. He deserved to have a much better showing from the team than what he got."

While he knows Jackson is disappointed in what transpired, Derek feels the coach will still be able to reflect on his career fondly. And Fish will always reflect on his time with Phil in the same way.

"As a group, the next 12, 24, 36 hours go by and we’re able to reflect on the fact that we may have played for the best coach in professional basketball for the last time, I’m sure it will be tough to swallow for everybody," Fisher said. "So many moments go into what [Jackson and I have] been able to accomplish as a player and a coach. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay him in anyway for what he’s been able to do for me, for this team, for the city, for the franchise. There’ll never be another one like him and regardless of who’s the coach going forward, things will be different and we’ll miss the big guy on the sideline, but we all just want him to be happy. He deserves to ride off into the sunset and do whatever it is he wants to do the rest of his life and we’re thankful for him."

Now the Lakers must look to replace Jackson and Derek believes the search should go no further than the Lakers’ own bench, where Brian Shaw could slide smoothly into the role:

"I support Brian 100%," Fisher said. "It’s not my decision to make. If I’m asked for my opinion, I would say I’m comfortable and confident in our ability to help us win. Brian is a winner. He’s played as a winner, coached as a winner. That’s what he’d bring to the table.

"I don’t know what kind of selection process they’re going to try and go through …. We feel comfortable that Brian could get the job done. He’s played with us, he’s played for Phil, he’s worked under Phil for a long time. We feel like if he chose to accept the job and be the head coach, we definitely could keep the same system that we have and do a lot of the same things."

LABOR LEADER
While the Lakers weigh their coaching options, Derek will be busy trying to ensure that there will be games for Jackson’s replacement to coach next season.

But Fish isn’t yet sure what shape next season will take. The NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement expires at the conclusion of this year’s playoffs and there is much work to be done to get a new one signed for the 2011-2012 season. As President of the Players’ Association, Derek will be one of the leaders working toward a new CBA. Now, with his season over, he can focus on just that.

"We’re full steam ahead in trying to get this thing figured out and get a deal done, He said. The NBA sent a proposal about a week ago and we were able to take a look at it, and frankly, we are disappointed in the context of it."

Unfortunately that full steam ahead is at somewhat of a standstill, as everyone on both sides waits to see what happens with the NFL lockout.

"I think what is taking place on the NFL side is impacting the speed at which this process is playing out, so I think its only prudent for us as a league and a players association to watch those proceedings."

Regardless, Fish is firm on the prospect having a season next year.

"What we have is an unbelievable game full of unbelievable players. I think the fans have spoken that they want to see NBA basketball. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they see NBA basketball.

"I think both sides want to get a deal done," he added. "But we’re going to be careful how we proceed at these matters. As much as NBA speaks about the future of the game and trying to protect the game itself, that’s a priority of ours. I wish I could give you a clear picture of how it plays out. The goal is to get a deal done and not necessarily rush through it, but to try and get something done that will sustain us for the next several years to come."

IN HIS OWN WORDS
Despite the end to the Lakers’ run at a third straight championship, Fish said he hasn’t even come close to pondering the idea of hanging ‘em up. He knows how privileged he is to do what he does:

"That’s not even a thought. I don’t really wake up and think about my age or not playing again. I don’t view that as a possibility right now. I’m aware of the realities of this team as far as the coaching change and whatever personnel decisions are made as far as Mitch and ownership and management. This is too fun to just walk away from, as disappointing as this finish is. There’s too many great things to experience. Being an NBA basketball player is a great opportunity and one I want to continue to enjoy.

"Great things are borne out of defeat and adversity and struggle. After the pain somewhat starts to wear off, that’s how we’re going to start looking at this – as an opportunity to be better and stronger than we ever were."

Derek and Kobe remain the leaders of the Lakers and both expect to rebound next year.

THEY SAID IT
Those in the Lakers organization have a great respect for Derek’s leadership, his hard work and his guile. He has the respect of all of those around him:

Kobe Bryant on his relationship with Derek:
"That’s my man. Everybody knows our story. That’s my dude."

Teammate Lamar Odom, on Fish’s contributions to the NBA as a whole:
"Any time you have someone in office or in power, it helps to know they care. And Fish fits the bill. I think that we’re lucky to have someone like Derek that truly cares about the league and its players."

Teammate Ron Artest on his respect for Derek:
"As many people talk about Fish, it definitely wasn’t a reason why we lost. He’s in great shape, pays attention to detail and rarely made a mistake in the playoffs. You can’t see how perfect he played."

Hornets coach Monty Williams
"They’re a physical team. Derek Fisher is one of the more physical guards in the league."

Anonymous NBA All-Star to ESPN regarding Derek
"I’d vote for that guy to do just about anything — league president, charity president, country president."

Coach Phil Jackson:
"He’s definitely the spokesman for this team as far as leadership goes.

Phil Jackson, on Derek’s grasp of the Lakers’ offense:
"Here’s what I like about him. When things get to a point in a ballgame when we need execution by design or reads, he’s able to do that. A lot of our other players are looking to drop the ball in Kobe’s lap and then walk away sucking their thumbs. Fish is able to continue to run the offense. Everybody says he makes really big shots at the end of games, and yes he does, but that’s because he knows how to execute the plays."

Odom on Derek’s leadership of the Lakers:
"He’s one of our leaders. He gets us riled up. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He’s a great dude."

Lakers forward Matt Barnes
"I have complete trust in Fish. He’s our veteran leader."

Chris Paul on Derek’s playoff defense:
"A lot of the credit goes to Derek Fisher. I told him after the game that he played unbelievable defense for the entire series."

AS SEEN BY
The qualities that Fish brings to the Lakers are not lost on those that observe the Lakers on a day-to-day basis. Everybody that spends time around LA during the season realizes the Lakers would be a different team without him. Media members shared their opinions on that this season:

ESPN.com’s Andy Kamenetzky on Fish returning to the Lakers:
"Ultimately, Fisher’s impact is felt heaviest in the locker room and along the sidelines during games. His speeches are now the stuff of legend, the reason he has the ear of everybody on the roster, including Kobe Bryant. Some might even say especially Kobe — who stayed in Fish’s ear constantly while the situation was mulled — since the Mamba has labeled his longtime teammate the one player he’s absolutely willing to give audience, no questions asked."

Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Times, on how Fish performs in the regular season:
"Someone forgot to deliver the memo to Fisher that this is only the Lakers’ fifth regular-season game and not the postseason. But Fisher delivered against the Kings as if it were the 2004 West semifinals against San Antonio, the 2009 NBA Finals against Orlando, the 2010 West semifinals against Utah and the 2010 NBA Finals against Boston."

ESPN.com’s Brian Kamenetzky saw Fish get to a hot start early in the season:
"[Fisher’s] value to the Lakers is a different animal entirely. This year, his overall field goal percentage is… an improvement from last season. More importantly, he’s hitting over 47 percent on his three’s, indicating what most of us already know: He should stick to spot up shooting, and avoid the dribble drive. The reality is Fisher doesn’t have to be statistically dominant to be effective. Defensively… Fisher has often done great work positionally, filling lanes and forcing turnovers in space."

The Los Angeles Times T.J. Simers on the tenacity of D-Fish:
"There’s just something about the guy. Whether you’re wearing the opponents’ uniform and getting whistled for an offensive foul, or he’s angering Lakers fans for being the team’s "weak link." [But] he knows how to push buttons, a key performer in bringing five championship parades to Los Angeles. Take a whole game into account and the argument can be made Fisher is the toughest player in the NBA. He stands in the way of a charging 300-pound center, gets flattened and bounces right up. Always does.

ESPN columnist Mike Wilbon, on the Lakers most level-headed player:
"Derek Fisher is maybe the most reasoned person in sports. His forecasts and assessments about the Lakers specifically, pro basketball generally, are right on the money historically. And Fisher says that although the Lakers are not about to sleepwalk through the regular season content to finish fourth or fifth in the Western Conference, Jackson, more than any other coach in the NBA, realizes the pace that has to be kept given that the core group of his team, unlike any other in the league, has played in three consecutive championship rounds."

ESPN LA’s Andy Kamenetzky on Derek’s play in Game 5 of the first round:
"The old man is known mostly for crunch time theatrics during the playoffs, but tonight, he went to work early. Fisher chipped in nine first half points, three [assists] and a steal, and his fingerprints were all over a critical second quarter push when the lead was regained for good.

Yes, Chris Paul enjoyed some success with Fish shadowing him, but lest we forget, he’s Chris-freaking-Paul. But when the dust finally settled, CP3 was sitting on 20 points and 12 dimes, which is pretty easy to swallow. The goal is to prevent Paul from going absolutely bananas, and Fisher had a hand in accomplishing that mission."

BY THE NUMBERS
It was another impressive year for Fish, who again racked up big numbers throughout the season.

0 Games No. 2 missed this season, marking his sixth straight year playing a full 82 game slate.

1 Derek’s rank among active players in consecutive games played with 495.

5 Number of games in which Derek had four steals. Fish finished the season averaging over a steal per game.

8 Single-game high in assists for D-Fish this year, coming in a win over the New Orleans Hornets.

19 No. 2’s high in points his year, coming in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

46 Minutes Fish played in a double overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns, his highest total of the season.

71 Derek’s shooting percentage in the final four games of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Lakers went 3-1 in those games.

224 Assists D-Fish recorded over the course of the season, good for an average of nearly three a game.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Derek Fisher expresses disappointment over owners’ new proposal (LA Times, May 10, 2011)
• GM senses Phil Jackson will retire (ESPN.com, May 9, 2011)
• Lakers take a long, hard look in the mirror (Fox West, May 10, 2011)
• Fisher moves to forefront as president of Players’ union (LA Times, May 10, 2011)